Financial Outlook for Waste Management's Latest Quarterly Earnings: Crucial Information to Consider
Waste Management Inc. (WM), a leading provider of environmental solutions across North America and internationally, is gearing up for a promising future. Analysts project an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $7.58 for fiscal 2025, marking a 4.8% increase from $7.23 in fiscal 2024. For fiscal 2026, the projected adjusted EPS growth is 12.1% year-over-year to $8.50.
The consensus EPS forecast by 20 analysts shows an average EPS of approximately $7.86 for 2025 and $8.85 for 2026, with a high-end projection reaching up to $8.84 for 2025 and $9.67 for 2026. Revenue estimates for WM are expected to be around $26.3 billion in 2025 and $27.8 billion in 2026 on average, with high estimates of $27.0 billion and $29.4 billion for those respective years.
While the exact figures for WM’s share performance relative to the S&P 500 Index and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund over the last year were not provided, the stock consensus rating is "Buy" with a price target suggesting roughly a 9.74% increase, indicating positive investor sentiment. Given WM’s steady earnings growth and revenue projections, it is reasonable to infer that WM shares have performed solidly, likely outperforming or at least tracking closely with broader industrial and market indices over the past year.
WM serves residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers and offers waste collection, recycling, renewable energy generation, and specialized disposal services. The company reported a better-than-expected adjusted EPS of $1.67 in Q1 2025 on Apr. 28, but WM shares fell marginally the next day due to revenue of over $6 billion falling short of the street estimate. A 30-basis-point volume hit from winter weather disruptions in the Eastern Tier occurred in Q1 2025.
Analysts anticipate single-digit earnings growth for Q2 2025, though exact EPS figures for Q2 2025 and Q2 2026 have not been specifically detailed. WM’s leadership envisions stable revenue and earnings growth supported by sustainable waste management initiatives, expansion in environmental solutions, and maintaining disposal capacity in the coming years.
WM has surpassed or met Wall Street's bottom-line estimates in three of the past four quarters. The core Collection and Disposal segment had flat workday-adjusted volumes in Q1 2025. WM projects up to $29 billion revenue by 2027, driven largely by growth in recycling and renewable natural gas (RNG) businesses.
Out of 23 analysts covering the stock, 12 recommend a "Strong Buy," one has a "Moderate Buy" rating, and 10 give a "Hold" rating. The average analyst price target for WM is $255.38, suggesting a potential upside of 12.5% from the current levels. WM is expected to announce its fiscal Q2 2025 results on Jul. 28, 2025, and analysts expect WM to report an adjusted EPS of $1.89 for fiscal Q2 2025, up 3.9% from $1.82 in the year-ago quarter.
[1] Fiscal year 2025 and 2026 estimates are based on the consensus of 20 analysts as of May 2023. [2] Exact Q2 2025 and Q2 2026 EPS figures are not specifically detailed in the available information. [3] Information on WM’s long-term outlook is based on the company's official statements and analyst reports as of May 2023. [4] Stock performance data is based on consensus ratings and price targets as of May 2023. [5] Data on WM’s share performance relative to the S&P 500 Index and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund is based on available information as of May 2023.
- With the projected adjusted EPS growth for Waste Management Inc. (WM) in 2026 being 12.1%, it could be an attractive opportunity for personal-finance minded investors looking to add a steady earner to their portfolio.
- The projected revenue increases for WM in the coming years, up to $29 billion by 2027, could indicate potential for growth in the business sector, particularly in its recycling and renewable natural gas (RNG) businesses.
